Alberta Premier Alison Redford was also on the trip. Her travel costs were about $45,000, according to the Calgary Herald. Redford used the Alberta government jet to fly to Ottawa to meet up with the Harper delegation. She spent $10,000 to fly back to Canada on a commercial flight rather than on Harper's flight.

In response to an inquiry from CBC News, McNeil's director of communications, Kyley Harris, said the Nova Scotia costs were for a return flight to Ottawa and one night's accommodation in that city.

"All other costs were covered by the federal government. No meals or incidentals were claimed," Harris said.

"The night in Ottawa was required because when the flight from South Africa arrived in Ottawa, the last flight to Halifax for the night had already departed."